Bolton

Bolton's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, ethnicity and marriage.

The population reached nearly 280,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Bolton increased by 6.0%, from about 261,000 to 277,000.

The addition of just under 16,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bolton was home to, on average, 14 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bolton

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bolton increased by one year, from 37 to 38 years.

This multi-cultural area had a slightly lower average age than the North West and became slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of almost 7,200 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 4,000.

About 15% of people in Bolton are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Bolton by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Bolton

The percentage of Bolton residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over 1 in 25 (4.5%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 3.8% in 2001. The percentage of Bolton residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.1% to 6.6%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (which remained close to 89%). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bolton that rented privately increased from 6.0% to 14% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in five (20%) households lived in social housing, compared with 22% in 2001. The percentage of Bolton households that owned their home decreased from 69% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Bolton increased by 7.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bolton, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Bolton

The number of people in Bolton from the White ethnic groups remained close to 230,000 between the last two censuses. This represents a change from 89% to 82% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the North West (from 94% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Bolton from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 24,000 in 2001 to just under 39,000 in 2011 (from 9.3% to 14%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 2,500 to about 4,900 (from 1.0% to 1.8%).

Just under 4,700 people (0.6%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 1,600 in 2001 (1.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Bolton decreased by 7.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Bolton by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Bolton

The percentage of single people in Bolton increased from 28% to 34% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in two (47%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 51% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Bolton that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 30% in 2001 to 36% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

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